Raleigh, N.C. - The last time NC State and Duke met, nearly a month ago at PNC Arena, State upset the then top-ranked Blue Devils, 84-76.

The victory marked the second time this millennium that the Wolfpack has knocked off a No. 1 ranked Duke team in Raleigh. The other occasion came on Feb. 15, 2004, when NC State posted a 78-74 victory at PNC Arena.

Thursday's match-up features teams in similar positions in terms of personnel. NC State and fifth-ranked Duke both have seen top players go down with injury recently and others step up in their places.

Wolfpack junior guard Lorenzo Brown missed the Miami game due to a sprained ankle sustained at Virginia last week. Mark Gottfried again reiterated at his weekly press conference that he would not rush Brown back out on the court unless he thought Brown was able to play.

"We'll have to wait and see how he responds to the treatment," Gottfried said. "If he can get to where he can plant, cut and move, there's a chance. But there's a lot of room between here and there. There's a long way to go."

Gottfried feels confident that if Brown can't go, his team has the ability to compete and win in Durham.

"If he can't play, I think our team the other night proved to each other that we can still compete," Gottfried said.

The Blue Devils have been without a key cog in their lineup as well. Ryan Kelly has been sidelined with a right foot injury suffered in a 68-40 home win over Clemson on Jan. 8.

"They've adapted to playing without Kelly," Gottfried said. "Amile (Jefferson) and (Josh) Hairston give them something different. Ryan stretched the defense by hitting 3s. Now you have to guard them differently. Those guys have played really well for them."

Gottfried said he's spoken to his team about where it stands right now at the midway point of the 18-game ACC season.

"The reality is that we're 5-4 and we've got a ways to go," Gottfried said. "That's the challenge we have now.

"We also have to understand that in the next nine games, five are on the road. We better fall in love with being on the road and get better there."